Elena Rybakina thanks banned coach Stefano Vukov during Strasbourg title speech

While Elena Rybakina managed to win her first title in over a year, a cloud still looms large in regards to her banned coach Stefano Vukov who of course is not there at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. But he was mentioned in her final speech.

Rybakina made her first final in 13 months. She won that title in Stuttgart. A lot has changed but a lot has stayed the same since. The Kazakh learned to drive in that intervening period after winning a Porsche. But also she still remains coached by Vukov albeit not officially with the Croatian banned by the tour for a year.

Rybakina went into the final against Liudmila Samsonova with a 1-4 record and is now back up towards the top 10 going into Roland Garros. It should give her a healthy boost going into the tournament.

“Davide, you’re here alone, but I have a good and big team,” she said referring to Davide Sanguinetti who stepped into the breach prior to Vukov being banned.

“Thank you to my fitness coach, physio, Stefano (Vukov) and of course thank you to my family and all the sponsors for your support,” Rybakina said.

That Stefano being Vukov who has still managed to maintain a handle on Rybakina despite being banned. He was pictured training her in Dubai during the break before the Billie Jean King Cup on courts that aren't WTA sanctioned so he is allowed to do so.

He was suspended in February for violating its code of conduct. Portia Archer, chief executive of the WTA wrote in the letter sent to Vukov among his breaches included: “Engaging in abuse of authority and abusive conduct towards the WTA Player, including compromising or attempting to compromise the psychological, physical or emotional well-being of the Player.”

But while that is the case, there is no directive it seems on Rybakina who was mooted by the investigation too to be in a romantic relationship with Vukov facing sanctions for still having his involvement and it is very much a front facing ban over a backwards one. Sanguinetti who said he speaks to Vukov said himself that he believes he will always be there and even in this title, he remains in the forefront despite the ban.